As we look at verse 5 of 1 Peter 1 we see Peter explaining the works of salvation through faith.

“5 And through your faith, God is protecting you by his power until you receive this salvation, which is ready to be revealed on the last day for all to see.” 1 Peter 1:5 (NLT)

Peter tells us that it is through our faith in the power of God that we receive our salvation. This is not some new teaching that I am trying to show you or even argue with someone about. This is a fundamental belief of the whole Christian church, that our faith is central to our salvation. You see this has always been a point of contention within the denominations. The confusing part of Peter’s message here though is that where does ones faith come from because before you can have salvation you must have faith.

So where does this faith come from well we have look at Paul to better understand this. Paul explained to the Ephesians that faith is a gift from God.

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)

God provides the faith to the believer so that they are able to accept Jesus Christ through that faith. This is how salvation works as strange as it might sound but God gives faith to individuals and with that faith we accept Jesus Christ. To add to this view we look back at the passage in 1 Peter and see that while we walk separated from God in our lives God is able to protect the individual until they accept this salvation.

So what does Peter mean? Is this salvation one of eternal life lived in heaven when he talks about protecting the believer or is it about the individuals temporal life here on Earth. While we are still present upon the Earth we will have to endure certain things. However, to make Peter’s writings clearer let’s look at Romans 8:18-19;

18 Yet what we suffer now is nothing compared to the glory he will reveal to us later.19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. (NLT)

There will come a day when God's children will be revealed and all the world will know the truth about each of us. Some of those who think they have salvation will be surprised on that day.

While we walk through our lives we can never truly know the heart of another man only God can. So we must walk not judging others as we progress through life. But we must judge ourselves against the standard of Jesus Christ. Are we looking more like Jesus and less like us each day? If not maybe it’s time we stop and look in the mirror. You see God has given you the faith to believer that leads to salvation through that faith we are saved. However, the choice still belongs to you. If your still here today God is giving you the opportunity to make the decision about how you will spend eternity. Just understand one thing. God has set a time limit on human life.

3 Then the Lord said, “My Spirit shall not abide in man forever, for he is flesh: his days shall be 120 years.” Genesis 6:3 (ESV)

Not that every person who waits for salvation will live to be 120 but it shows that at some point our hearts will become hard as Pharaoh’s did and God will deliver us to destruction. I know in my own life that I look back and often wonder why I waited so long. Today is your day to start anew. Be blessed as you walk in the Light of God’s Word.